Composition for stiffening fabrics.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES D. GRABER, OF ROYERSFORD', PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- FOURTH TO ELWOOD L. HALLMAN, OF NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMPOSITION FOR STIFFENING FABRlCS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 691,462, dated January 21, 1902.

Application filed April 4, 1901. Serial No. 54,337- (No specimens.)

T ollar/71,0777 it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES D. GRABER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Royersford, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful, Improvements in Compositions for Stiifening Fabrics; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a composition for treating fabrics to stiffen them and render them waterproof'and thoroughly antiseptic to adapt them for use for a variety of purposes.

In carrying out my invention the fabric to be treatedwhether wool, cotton, linen, or felt woven in cloth form-is saturated with a solution of ethylic alcohol, one hundred and ninety-two parts; lac, one hundred and twenty-eight parts; ricinolein, (oleum ricine,) two parts, and borate of soda, (sodium boratum,) two parts, the proportions being by weight, and is then dried in any preferred way. The resultant product is a stiffened fabric which is waterproof and antiseptic to a high degree and when heated may be shaped to any form and again hardens on cooling. The proportions of the ingredients may be varied from that given to vary the density of the solution according to the kind of fabric treated.

, As stated, the stiffened fabric may be emwhich may be mentioned, as follows: As a splint for surgical bandages and. as a stifienployed for many useful purposes, some of ing for the linings of garments it is of great value, as by simply heating it it may be readily adapted to the shape of the part or article to which it is to be applied and on cooling will harden and maintain the shape given it. It has antiseptic qualities, which also render it valuable for these purposes, and is, moreover, waterproof and exceedingly strong and durable. These latter qualities adapt it for use also as a roofing material for buildings and vehicles, as a pliable fabric for surgical supporters and braces, and as a lining for boots and shoes and garments of various kinds. The fabric may be cheaply prepared and its stifiness varied by simply varying the proportions of the ingredients of the described solution.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

sisting of a solution of alcohol, lac, a non-dry-' ing oil and borate of soda, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES DJGEABER.

Witnesses:

DAVID SPRINGER, E. L. HALLMAN. 

